On 12 February 2018, Aji Garye was at her home in Mafa town, Borno State, while her six-year-old son Ahmed played outside.

Suddenly, an explosion ripped through the air.

The confusion Aji initially felt was soon replaced with horror when she saw her son on the ground, covered with blood. The blast had claimed Ahmed’s right hand and the trauma meant that he couldn’t speak for a long time. Later, they found out that he had been playing with a hand grenade he had found, not knowing how dangerous it was.

Now, Aji has had a risk education class with the MAG team, where she learned how to recognise and report explosives, and keep her six children safe. 

Aji Garye said: “I have never heard of anything like this. I am happy that MAG is creating awareness about the dangers of unexploded ordnance. Now I know better, I could recognise any bomb and talk to my children and others.”

Another boy, another grenade.

While Zainab Waziri, our Community Liaison Team Leader in Borno State, was delivering a risk education session, a young boy approached her. He had previously attended a life-saving lesson and had a story to tell.

He had been playing with friends on his dad’s farm when he spotted a metal object in the ground. He recognised it as a hand grenade from the posters our team had shown him. He quickly alerted his dad, who reported the grenade to the military for removal.

Zainab said: “That boy saved his own life, his friends’ lives and his dad’s life that day.”

Two explosives. Two boys. Two very different outcomes. The difference is our life-saving lessons.

It costs just £7 to teach a girl or boy how to stay safe from landmines and unexploded bombs. With your support, we can provide more life-saving lessons to girls and boys at risk.

Thank you.